: Govt sets Nov 14 as deadline for hotels, tourism services registration #finance #StockMarketNEWS #Business Panaji: After several warnings to hotels in the state to register their properties with the

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Govt sets Nov 14 as deadline for hotels, tourism services registration #finance #StockMarketNEWS #Business
Panaji: After several warnings to hotels in the state to register their properties with the department of tourism, the government on Thursday, notified November 14, as the date for enforcement of the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, 2022.

Compulsory registration of hotels and all tourism services will therefore shortly come into effect from the said date.

Over the last few days, the department of tourism has issued notices to about 38 hotels for not registering their establishments. This includes notices to 11 hotels in the north district and 27 in the south under the relevant sections of the Act for illegally operating their business establishment, and for their failure in registering with the tourism department. The punishment includes imposition of fine up to `1 lakh, and may result in disconnection of water and electricity, connection and sealing of the hotel premises.

All unregistered hotels were directed to immediately register with the tourism department to avoid penal action.

Registration of hospitality establishments and tourism activities in the state has been pending for more than two years now despite a large number of unlicenced hotels eating into the business of licenced establishments and depriving the government of the revenue.

Numerous extensions have been granted to hotels to legalise their operations. Previously April 1 2021, was the last date for registration and in May this year the deadline was extended to June 30.

Under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Act, hotels, travel agents, tour operators, water sport operators, dealers in handicrafts, tourist guides, photographers, private and government shack owners have to get registered or apply for renewal of registration with the tourism department.

Further business entities providing tourism services such as adventure sports, spice plantations and online service providers must also register with the department.

The registration fee for online service providers ranges between `1 lakh to `2 lakh annually.